In a remarkable move, the BC Government banned mining from the region. Now we're asking leaders to establish permanent protection for the Flathead River Valley. In November, 2011, British Columbia's provincial government awarded the "Flathead Watershed Conservation Act" the Royal Assent. According to the new law, coal mining and methane gas extraction is forbidden in the Flathead River Valley. Now we're just two steps away from total protection of the Flathead River Valley.